Cumnock Under 16 Match Report

Cumnock Under 16s 43 Greenock 5

After having to postpone last week’s game through lack of players Cumnock Under 16s were keen to get back on the pitch and hopefully start winning again. Their opponents were last year’s Under 15 Conference winners and Cumnock lost to them twice last year. A win was essential if Cumnock were to keep their title aspirations alive.

Cumnock got off to a very bright start when “Countryfile star, Jock Welsh, waltzed through the Greenock defence to score between the posts. More was to follow when Glasgow District player, Jamie Drummond, nipped through a gap in the defence before popping a pass to stand off Andy Houston for another score between the posts. Clever work from a scrum 10 metres out saw Welsh pick up at the back of the scrum before feeding Adam Watt for Cumnock’s third. All 3 were converted by Ross Marr. Cumnock then went off the boil as they failed to look after the ball in contact resulting in a number of turnovers. This allowed Greenock back into the game and only strong defence prevented a score for the visitors.

A strong team talk at half time saw a rejuvenated Cumnock team start to play better rugby. Tries followed for captain Wallace Findlay who rampaged through 5 tackles for a score. Dylan Chidwick continued to impress at centre resulting in a 5th score. Perhaps the pick of the scores saw Calum McClounie streak home from 50 metres to underline a great performance. The last fell to Cumnock’s celebrity shepherd Jock Welsh, fresh from winning the UK junior One Man and His Dog title, as he used his speed and strength to claim the 7th score. 3 conversions were added by Owen Young to make the final score 43-5.

Coach Mark Van Der Leest was unsurprisingly upbeat after his sides performance. “ We really needed a good performance after a pretty chaotic last 2 weeks. Our training has been disrupted through injuries and we never played last week. This performance was just what was needed. What is really impressing me is how every player seems to be pushing on and developing. There were great shifts put in today from Calum Scott, Owen Young, Chris Smith and Ross Briodie whilst Calum McClounie, Kevin Van Der Leest and Hamish White all did really well. There were still some rough edges to work on but overall I was really pleased with the boys today.”

Next week Cumnock are away to Dalziel for a top of the table clash which will have a big influence on who wins the conference.